The Harp of Erin Containing the Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Dermody. In Two Volumes |
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 | II. |
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A RHAPSODIC
ADDRESS TO VARIETY. |
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 | The Harp of Erin |  |
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A RHAPSODIC ADDRESS TO VARIETY.
Poetic Iris,
ever-changing,
Teach me thy cameleon-song,
Bear me each pathless wild along,
For what new climate art thou strange in,
Through fancy's labyrinth incessant ranging:
And ever shield my finer sense,
'Gainst listless lounging indolence,
Voluptuous rogue, who loves to lie,
With languid limbs and stupid eye,
By some smooth stream's melodious fall,
Oft vex'd by echo's sportive call,
Or hollow wind, shrill whistling by,
Or thunder in the distant sky.
She best delights on some bold mountain's brow,
To cull the wild flow'r scanty nature flings;
I seek no garlands for my front below,
For heav'nward flight, with broad refulgent wings
Of hoary length, shall cleave my liquid way,
Sublime his floating form display,
And meet the azure-vested morn,
Faint in the east with a rosy breast,
Just newly born!
Teach me thy cameleon-song,
Bear me each pathless wild along,
For what new climate art thou strange in,
Through fancy's labyrinth incessant ranging:
And ever shield my finer sense,
'Gainst listless lounging indolence,
Voluptuous rogue, who loves to lie,
With languid limbs and stupid eye,
By some smooth stream's melodious fall,
Oft vex'd by echo's sportive call,
Or hollow wind, shrill whistling by,
Or thunder in the distant sky.
She best delights on some bold mountain's brow,
To cull the wild flow'r scanty nature flings;
I seek no garlands for my front below,
For heav'nward flight, with broad refulgent wings
Of hoary length, shall cleave my liquid way,
Sublime his floating form display,
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Faint in the east with a rosy breast,
Just newly born!
Then the sharp sound of scythes shall grate on my ear,
And the loud shout of sportsmen in rapid career;
Meanwhile, the dewy landscape opens,
Glitt'ring on my raptur'd eye,
Gleamy spires, hoar cliffs, and meadows,
Waving bright, with many a dye.
Far distant towns, with winding seas embost,
And castles, frowning drear, in purply vapours lost.
Goddess, grant my ardent pray'r,
Thine profuse in varying light;
Then, gliding through the colour'd air,
Flash upon my dazzled sight,
Goddess of sincere delight!
And the loud shout of sportsmen in rapid career;
Meanwhile, the dewy landscape opens,
Glitt'ring on my raptur'd eye,
Gleamy spires, hoar cliffs, and meadows,
Waving bright, with many a dye.
Far distant towns, with winding seas embost,
And castles, frowning drear, in purply vapours lost.
Goddess, grant my ardent pray'r,
Thine profuse in varying light;
Then, gliding through the colour'd air,
Flash upon my dazzled sight,
Goddess of sincere delight!
| The Harp of Erin | |